Envelope-like container

ABSTRACT

An envelope-like container made of a single blank comprising an open top pocket for papers such as a bank book, checks, currency, and a deposit slip. The open top pocket is slit in one wall thereof to allow access to the interior of the pocket. The container may also have a pocket for coins that can be sealed after the coins are inserted. The container is particularly designed for use by depositors at drive-in banks and makes it easy for the teller to handle deposits without fear that the contents will slide out and be lost.

United States Patent [191 Schleutermann et al.

[ 1 March 6, 1973 ENVELOPE-LIKE CONTAINER [75] Inventors: Carl W. Schleutermann, Harwood Heights, 111.; Herman L. Lewis, Jr., Malibu, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Arvey Corporation [22] Filed: Sept. 30, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 76,853

[52] US. Cl ..229/72, 229/75 [5 1] Int. Cl. ..B65d 27/08 [58] Field of Search ..229/72, 87.5, 80, 70, 74, 75

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 444,045 1/1891 Button ..229/75 1,476,495 l2/1923 Cross ..229/75 3,381,888 5/1968 Schleutermann et al ..229/72 Primary Examiner-Leonard Summer Assistant Examiner-Stephen P. Garbe Attorney-Dressler, Goldsmith, Clement & Gordon [5 7] ABSTRACT An envelope-like container made of a single blank comprising an open top pocket for papers such as a bank book, checks, currency, and a deposit slip. The open top pocket is slit in one wall thereof to allow access to the interior of the pocket. The container may also have a pocket for coins that can be sealed-after the coins are inserted. The container is particularly designed for use by depositors at drive-in banks and makes it easy for the teller to handle deposits without fear that the contents will slide out and be lost.

6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHAR 61975 3 719 319 LZ/ewong ENVELOPE-LIKE CONTAINER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an envelope-like container for paper and coins, and particularly to a container for holding a bank book, checks, currency, and a deposit slip in an open top pocket which will safely hold its contents and prevent accidental loss during handling and for holding coins in a completely sealed pocket.

It has been found useful for banks to use specialized envelopes in order to handle depositors efficiently and to prevent jams at the tellers windows in the busy periods. When a teller receives a package containing a bank deposit, he must check the deposit, record it, and return the bank book or receipt to the depositor along with a new container for holding the depositors next deposit. It is essential, that the container hold the deposit securely until it is removed by the teller, at the same time the contents must be readily accessible to the teller.

One type of device which has been proposed is disclosed in Schleuterman et al., US. Pat. No. 3,381,888. While this type of container has found a considerable degree of commercial success, certain problems have been encountered in the use of containers of this type. It has been found that there is a possibility that currency or checks can accidentally slide from the cut away portion on the side of such a container. While it is desirable to allow easy access to the interior of the envelope by use of a cut away portion on the side of the envelope it is also necessary to prevent loss of the envelopes contents during handling.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, accidental loss is prevented by using a container with closed sides which also allows ready accessibility to the envelopes contents. It has been found that an envelope-like container having a recess or pocket with a slot along one wall thereof and sealed sides, retains checks or currency and prevents such contents from being accidentally dislodged in handling. At the same time, the invention allows for ease of entry into the container to allow removal of the container's contents without difficulty.

The container which has a width greater than the transverse width of the contents it is designed to receive, and generally holds currency checks and a deposit slip in a first pocket. The pocket has an open end and is partially slit along one wall. The position of the slit is critical in that it must be spaced a distance greater than the transverse width of the containers contents from one side edge of the pocket. It must also be spaced from the opposite side edge of the pocket in order to insure that the sides of the pocket are sealed so that the contents can not accidentally slide out. Coins are held in a second pocket which has a gummed flap that enables it to be completely sealed after coins have been inserted therein. It is preferred to use pressure sensitive adhesive strips such as self-sealing latex gum to seal the different parts of the container, but any suitable adhesive may be used. The portion of the container panel engaged by the gummed flap may also have a latex gum strip thereon. The recess for holding the paper portions of the deposit holds such papers more securely because it is closed on both sides and prevents the accidental loss of checks or currency during handling. The bottom of the recess is also closed.

An embodiment of the invention by means of which the above mentioned advantage and other advantages of the invention are attained will be described in greater detail in the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a plan view of the blank for making the container.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a container with the flap of the coin pocket in open position.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the drawings, a blank 11, of paper, plastic, or any other suitable material, comprises an extended central panel 12 and two side panels 13 and 14 extending outwardly from opposite longitudinal edges of the central panel. The blank is provided with two parallel longitudinal fold lines 15 and 16 to facilitate folding side panels 13 and 14, inwardly when the container is assembled.

The extended central panel 12 is provided with a bottom flap 17 set off therefrom by a horizontal fold line 18 and extending below the lower edges 19 and 20 of the side panels. In a preferred embodiment the central panel extends above the upper edges of the side panels to provide backing support for checks and currency forming part of the deposit to be held in the container.

As shown in FIG. 1, first side panel 13 has a top flap 21 set off therefrom by a horizontal fold line 22 slightly higher than the upper edge 23 of second side panel 14 to permit the flap 21 to be folded over the upper edge of the panel 14 when the container is completely assembled.

Side panel 13 has a longitudinal slit 25 commencing from its upper edge 22 and traversing a portion of its length. The placement of the slit is critical to the operation of the invention. The slit is spaced from and generally adjacent to fold line 15, but is far enough from fold line 15 to insure that the side 33 of the envelope will be sealed when the container is assembled and thereby prevent the contents of recess 31 from sliding out during handling. The slit is also offset from outer edge 40 of side panel 13 a distance greater than the transverse width of the checks, currency and the like to be held in the recess. Suitably slit 25 is cut in panel 13 along a line substantially parallel to fold line 15 and about three-sixteenths inch to about 1 inch therefrom depending on the container's size. It is preferred that the slit transverse approximately onehalf to three-quarters of the longitudinal length of panel 13. The 'slit should be long enough to insure complete access to all corners of the recess when the container is assembled. Slit 25 which defines a border of the coin pocket 32 and flap 21, is most preferably made about one-quarter inch from fold line 15. It is preferred that the edges defining slit 25 remain in substantial contact after the slit is made. However it is understood that the width of the slit may be varied by cutting away a portion of side panel 13 along the line generally defined by slit 25. In any event allowance must be made for the thickness of cutting blades used in commercial cutting operations.

When the container is assembled checks, currency, deposit slips and the like may be easily inserted into recess 31 through the openable wall created by slit 25. After an item is inserted into the recess it is prevented from being dislodged in part by lip 36. Items are also prevented from accidentally sliding out of the recess during handling since the sides thereof are sealed.

The blank has a strip 26 of latex gum or other suitable adhesive near the outer edge of side panel 14 on one surface thereof. The adhesive strip 26 is suitably placed so that it will not seal slit 25 when the container is assembled. A similar strip of adhesive 27 is provided on the opposite surface of side panel 13 to engage with adhesive strip 26 when the container is assembled. Preferably adhesive strips 26 and 27 are about onequarter inch away from hairline slit 25. Strip 28, 29 and 30 of latex gum or other suitable adhesive, are provided on the opposite surface of blank 11 in the areas of the upper and lower edge portions of side panel 14, and the top flap 21.

The assembly of the container is very simple. Side panel 13 is folded inwardly, along the fold line 15 to make it overlie the central panel 12 with its adhesive surface uppermost and thus closes a side 33 of the open top recess 31 and forms the front wall of said recess.

The side panel 14 is then folded inwardly along the fold line 16 to close the opposite side of the open top pocket 31 and to position the side panel 14 on top of the side panel 13. The adhesive strip 26 engages adhesive strip 27 to adhere the side panels 13 and 14 together in the area adjacent to slit 25, thereby closing the two opposite walls of coin pocket 32. In the folded position adhesive strips 28 and 29 are on the uppermost surface of the side panel 14 adjacent upper and lower edges 23 and thereof.

The bottom flap 17 is then folded upwardly along the fold line 18 to close the bottom of the pocket 31 and the bottom of the coin pocket 32. In this folding step, the flap 17 engages the adhesive strip 29 to secure flap 17 to side panel 14. As shown in FIG. 2, the pocket is open at its top and can be partially opened along its front wall. The open top pocket or recess is to receive checks, currency, a bank book, and a deposit slip, which are pushed sideways and downwardly into the recess as far as possible without folding them. The closed sides 33 and 34 of the recess in cooperation with lip 3610 permit the recess to hold the paper portion of the deposit without the risk that the deposit will slide out of an open or partially open side during handling. The pocket thereby tends to insure the safety of its contents and it also provides easy accessibility to the bank teller or customer.

The coin pocket 32 is ready to receive coins after the flap 17 is adhered to the side panel 14. After coins are inserted into the pocket 32, top flap 21 is folded downwardly along the fold line 22 and is secured to panel 14 by interengagement of the self-sealing latex gum strips 28 and 30.

When the container is received by the recipient, he may open the coin pocket by pulling the flap 21, which will separate the two self-sealing adhesive strips 28 and 30, when enough force is created, to permit removal of the contents from the pocket 32.

Although a preferred embodiment has been described in detail, it will be understood that the description is intended to be illustrative and may be modified or changed within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not desired to restrict the invention in any manner except as defined in the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An envelope-like container designed to prevent loss of checks, paper currency and the like having at least one open top pocket including front and back walls, the transverse width of said walls being greater than the transverse width of the contents to be deposited in said container; the front wall having a slit commencing at its uppermost edge and extending along a portion of its length, said slit being disposed substantially parallel to and spaced from a side edge of said pocket, said slit being spaced from the opposite side edge of said pocket a distance greater than the transverse width of the contents to be deposited in the container whereby said contents are prevented from sliding out of the container.

2. The container of claim 1 in which said back wall is extended to provide backing support for the contents to be deposited in said container.

3. An envelope-like container designed to prevent accidental loss of checks, paper currency and the like, having a transverse width greater than the contents it is designed to receive, said container comprising an integral sheet of material having a central panel with a bottom flap and first and second side panels extending from the opposite side edges of said central panel; said first side panel having a top flap and overlying the central panel above the bottom flap, said first side panel having a slit commencing from its upper edge and extending along a portion of its length, said slit being substantially parallel to and spaced from the side edge between said central and said first side panel and spaced a distance greater than the transverse width of said contents from the opposite side edge of said first side panel; said second side panel overlying said first side panel and having a free side edge, the free side edge of said second panel terminating at a point inwardly of said slit to expose said slit; means for sealing said second panel to said first side panel near the free side edge of said second panel; means for sealing said bottom flap to said second panel whereby a first pocket is formed between the central panel and said first side panel, said pocket being partially open along one wall thereof and open at its top, said first and second panels defining a second pocket open at its top; means for releasably sealing said top flap to said second side panel to close the top of said second pocket after coins have been inserted therein.

4. The container of claim 2 in which the upper portion of said central panel is extended to provide backing support for the contents to be deposited in said container.

5. A one-piece blank for making an envelope-like container having a scalable coin pocket and an open top pocket for checks, currency and the like, said blank comprising a central panel with a bottom flap and first and second side panels said side panels being connected to said central panel by parallel fold lines on opposite sides of said central panel, said bottom flap extending solely between said parallel fold lines and below the lower edge of said first and second side panels, said panels having a transverse width greater than the transverse width of the contents said pockets are designed to receive, said first side panel having a top flap and a slit commencing at its upper edge between said top flap and the adjacent fold line and extending along a major portion of the length of said first side panel, said slit being substantially parallel to and spaced from the fold line between said central and first side panel, said slit being spaced from the edge opposite said fold line by a distance greater than the transverse width of the contents said open top pocket is designed to receive; said first side panel being without a bottom flap; said central panel being extended beyond the upper edge of said first side to provide added backing support for the contents of said open top pocket.

6. The one-piece blank of claim 5 having a strip of adhesive on a surface in an area spaced from the outer edge of said second side panel, additional separate strips of adhesive on the opposite surface of said blank in the areas of the upper and lower edge portions of the second side panel, in the area of the top flap of said first side panel, and an adhesive strip in an area spaced from the slit on said first side panel and engageable with the adhesive strip spaced from the outer edge of said second side panel. 

1. An envelope-like container designed to prevent loss of checks, paper currency and the like having at least one open top pocket including front and back walls, the transverse width of said walls being greater than the transverse width of the contents to be deposited in said container; the front wall having a slit commencing at its uppermost edge and extending along a portion of its length, said slit being disposed substantially parallel to and spaced from a side edge of said pocket, said slit being spaced from the opposite side edge of said pocket a distance greater than the transverse width of the contents to be deposited in the container whereby said contents are prevented from sliding out of the container.
 1. An envelope-like container designed to prevent loss of checks, paper currency and the like having at least one open top pocket including front and back walls, the transverse width of said walls being greater than the transverse width of the contents to be deposited in said container; the front wall having a slit commencing at its uppermost edge and extending along a portion of its length, said slit being disposed substantially parallel to and spaced from a side edge of said pocket, said slit being spaced from the opposite side edge of said pocket a distance greater than the transverse width of the contents to be deposited in the container whereby said contents are prevented from sliding out of the container.
 2. The containEr of claim 1 in which said back wall is extended to provide backing support for the contents to be deposited in said container.
 3. An envelope-like container designed to prevent accidental loss of checks, paper currency and the like, having a transverse width greater than the contents it is designed to receive, said container comprising an integral sheet of material having a central panel with a bottom flap and first and second side panels extending from the opposite side edges of said central panel; said first side panel having a top flap and overlying the central panel above the bottom flap, said first side panel having a slit commencing from its upper edge and extending along a portion of its length, said slit being substantially parallel to and spaced from the side edge between said central and said first side panel and spaced a distance greater than the transverse width of said contents from the opposite side edge of said first side panel; said second side panel overlying said first side panel and having a free side edge, the free side edge of said second panel terminating at a point inwardly of said slit to expose said slit; means for sealing said second panel to said first side panel near the free side edge of said second panel; means for sealing said bottom flap to said second panel whereby a first pocket is formed between the central panel and said first side panel, said pocket being partially open along one wall thereof and open at its top, said first and second panels defining a second pocket open at its top; means for releasably sealing said top flap to said second side panel to close the top of said second pocket after coins have been inserted therein.
 4. The container of claim 2 in which the upper portion of said central panel is extended to provide backing support for the contents to be deposited in said container.
 5. A one-piece blank for making an envelope-like container having a sealable coin pocket and an open top pocket for checks, currency and the like, said blank comprising a central panel with a bottom flap and first and second side panels said side panels being connected to said central panel by parallel fold lines on opposite sides of said central panel, said bottom flap extending solely between said parallel fold lines and below the lower edge of said first and second side panels, said panels having a transverse width greater than the transverse width of the contents said pockets are designed to receive, said first side panel having a top flap and a slit commencing at its upper edge between said top flap and the adjacent fold line and extending along a major portion of the length of said first side panel, said slit being substantially parallel to and spaced from the fold line between said central and first side panel, said slit being spaced from the edge opposite said fold line by a distance greater than the transverse width of the contents said open top pocket is designed to receive; said first side panel being without a bottom flap; said central panel being extended beyond the upper edge of said first side to provide added backing support for the contents of said open top pocket. 